How To Switch From A Blade To A Mallet Without Losing Putting Feel

If you’re a blade user interested in switching to a mallet, you’re likely looking for added stability and forgiveness. While you might be concerned that the transition will be a big departure from what you’re used to, that need not be the case.

TL;DR: Ping's Scottsdale TEC onset models solve all the concerns that stop longtime blade users from switching to a mallet putter.

Step 1: Solve the sightline problem

What to expect: A clean, blade-like view at address, making the larger head easier to aim and accept visually.

Mallet putters provide a clean view of the whole front of the putter, a little bit like what you get with a blade putter, making the larger head easier to aim and accept visually. A common concern with mallets is that the larger head or shaft position may make the setup feel off. However, Ping’s Scottsdale TEC onset geometry places the shaft behind the face, keeping the ball, leading edge and face clearly visible.

Ping’s Ally Blue Onset putter provides a full-face view, while the Ketsch Onset positions the shaft slightly toward the heel, giving golfers a clear view of the ball.

Step 2: Solve the weight and stability problem

What to expect: More stable heel and toe strikes, with improved starting-line and distance consistency on mishits.

Blade heads generally place most of their weight near the center, so heel or toe strikes can make the face twist, forcing putts off-line. Mallets, on the other hand, shift more weight to the edges and rear of the head, increasing MOI and helping the face stay squarer through impact, letting players hit more putts that stay on line.

That putt that looked fine at address and frustratingly still finished a foot short? A mallet could be the answer.

Ping’s Blue Onset putter (370g weight) and Ketsch Onset putter (350g weight) both use lightweight aluminium in the body and denser stainless steel in the sole and perimeter to create that stability without making the head feel overly heavy. The result is more forgiveness on mishits while keeping the putter balanced and responsive.

Step 3: Solve the feel problem

What to expect: More familiar touch on short putts and better pace control from longer range.

Some blade users worry that a mallet will feel difficult to square up at impact. But the center of gravity in every Scottsdale TEC putter is positioned behind the shaft axis to ensure it is pulled through the stroke for stability and less twisting. Much like how a wheelbarrow is easier to pull over a curb instead of pushing it over, pulling the CG provides more stability through the stroke and helps keep putts on line and rolling into the hole.

Step 4: Match the putter to your actual stroke

What to expect: A putter that supports a player’s natural stroke rather than forcing an unnatural one. Choose the Ally Blue Onset for a straighter path and the Ketsch Onset for a slight arc.

Once the sightline, stability and feel concerns have been addressed, the final decision should be based on how the face naturally moves during the stroke.

The Ally Blue Onset is better suited to a straighter stroke with minimal face rotation. It can help a player who wants the face to remain relatively square throughout the motion.

The Ketsch Onset is designed for a slight arc. It allows some natural opening and closing of the face while still providing the stability of a mallet.

What the tour pros say about switching from a blade to a mallet

“I’ve always used a blade putter, but I was looking to try a mallet. I tried the Ally Blue onset and immediately fell in love with it. It sets up so square and makes it easier to know where the face is aiming. With the dot and line, I can line up in the middle of the ball, which is extremely important. When you’re making good strokes, you’re splitting the ball in half, which means it’s rolling end over end. The Scottsdale Tech really helped change my putting for the better.” — Ping Pro Tony Finau

Can I switch from a blade to a PING Scottsdale TEC mallet without losing feel?

Moving from a blade to a mallet may feel like a big change, but it does not have to mean leaving behind everything you already like about your putter.

Onset models from Ping offer the added forgiveness of a mallet while keeping all of the characteristics that many blade users value. Once those concerns are out of the way, the choice simply comes down to finding the model that suits your natural stroke.

Players with a straighter stroke may feel most comfortable with the Ally Blue Onset, while the Ketsch Onset is designed for golfers who naturally putt with a slight arc. Match the putter to your natural stroke, and the step from blade to mallet can feel far more natural than expected.